cockatoo: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Neutral to formal, except in historical/slang uses.
Quick answer
What does “cockatoo” mean?
A large, noisy, crested parrot native to Australasia, often with white or pink plumage.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A large, noisy, crested parrot native to Australasia, often with white or pink plumage.
Can be used figuratively to describe a person with strikingly styled or unruly hair, or as a pejorative Australian slang term for a small-scale farmer or a lookout (obsolete/colloquial).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Both refer to the same bird. The Australian slang meanings are less known outside Australasia.
Connotations
Primarily ornithological/exotic bird. In British English, may have stronger association with pets or zoos. In American English, similar associations, perhaps more with wildlife documentaries.
Frequency
Low frequency in general discourse in both regions, similar familiarity level.
Grammar
How to Use “cockatoo” in a Sentence
[Adj] cockatoocockatoo [V-ed]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cockatoo” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- (Rare/obsolete Australian slang) To act as a lookout. e.g., 'He was cockatooing for the smugglers.'
American English
- (Not used as a verb in standard AmE.)
adverb
British English
- (Not used as an adverb.)
American English
- (Not used as an adverb.)
adjective
British English
- (Metaphorical) 'She had a cockatoo crest of hair.'
American English
- (Metaphorical) 'His cockatoo-like hair was impossible to miss.'
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in zoology, biology, conservation, and ecology papers discussing Australasian fauna.
Everyday
Used when discussing pets, travel to Australia/Indonesia, wildlife, or birdwatching.
Technical
Used in ornithology, avian veterinary science, and wildlife conservation.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cockatoo”
- Misspelling: 'cockatooo', 'cokatou'.
- Using as a general term for all parrots.
- Incorrect plural: 'cockatoos' (not 'cockatooes').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but more specific. All cockatoos are parrots, but not all parrots are cockatoos. Cockatoos belong to the family Cacatuidae and are distinguished by their movable head crests and different anatomical features.
Yes, but they are demanding pets. They are extremely intelligent, social, require vast amounts of attention, and can be very loud and destructive. They often live for 40-70 years, requiring a lifelong commitment.
They are native to Australasia, including Australia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands. Different species inhabit rainforests, woodlands, mangroves, and even alpine regions.
It had two main slang meanings: 1) A small-scale farmer (derogatory, implying they just 'scratched' the land like a bird). 2) A lookout for illegal activities, like gambling or shearing strikes (from the bird's habit of perching high and screeching at danger).
A large, noisy, crested parrot native to Australasia, often with white or pink plumage.
Cockatoo is usually neutral to formal, except in historical/slang uses. in register.
Cockatoo: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkɒk.əˈtuː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkɑː.kə.tuː/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “'Mad as a gumtree full of cockatoos' (Australian colloquialism for chaos or insanity).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: A COCK (rooster) with a fancy crest (ATOO sounds like 'a tuft') – a bird with a prominent crown.
Conceptual Metaphor
NOISE/CHAOS (due to its loud screech) -> "The meeting was a racket, a real cockatoo parliament."
Practice
Quiz
In which region is 'cockatoo' also a historical slang term for a small-scale farmer?